JEDDAH, 14 March 2006 — Saudi Arabia’s recent accession to the World Trade Organization is due to the economic policy that it has all along pursued, a junior Saudi minister said on Sunday night.
“The Kingdom’s economic strategy has directed it to its accession to the WTO. It is its economic policy that has made it a leading country in the Middle East and paved the way for Saudi businessmen to invest in overseas locations aside from within the Kingdom,” Deputy Minister of Transport Mufreh Al-Zahrani said at the launch of Chinese luxury coaches at Jeddah Hilton.
“The introduction of such overseas technologies bring in technical skills,” he said, adding that the launch of Chinese luxury coaches is significant as it comes soon after the visit of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to China. Al-Zahrani expressed his appreciation for the Jeddah-based National Trade Co. Ltd. (NTC), the local agent for China’s King Long buses, for introducing King Long luxury coaches and offer employment opportunities to Saudi nationals.
“These buses will go a long way in strengthening the Kingdom’s fleet for the transport of pilgrims to the holy cities in comfort,” Al-Zahrani said, adding that the event also marks a milestone in the strengthening of economic and commercial cooperation between the two countries. NTC Chairman Dr. Hamed H. Mutabagani said one of the main advantages of his company’s cooperation with coach manufacturer, Xiamen King Long United Automotive Industry Co. Ltd. in Xiamen, China, was the extension of a training program for young Saudi technicians in automotive skills that include after-sale service and maintenance.
“With these buses, we’re using the most advanced Chinese technology to facilitate the transport of pilgrims, students and workers both in government and private sectors,” Dr. Mutabagani said.
Chinese Ambassador Wu Chunhua said buses produced by China’s biggest automotive manufacturer were being introduced here at a time when global demand for luxury coaches was on the increase.